Minecraft/Chat Message Signing
"Chat Message Validation Failure" redirects here, for troubleshooting please refer to the contents below or installing FreedomChat Plugin
Minecraft 1.19.1: Big Brother is watching the Block Game? Using a Fucking Digital Signature?
Hold onto your pickaxes, miners! Minecraft 1.19.1 (or the not-so-catchy 1.19.84 patch) introduced a new feature called "Chat Message Signing" Mojang bills it as a way to improve moderation, but many players are left wondering – is this just another case of Big Brother intruding on our blocky world?
What is Chat Message Signing?
Any Java Edition Clients after Version 1.19.1 by default, will have every message you send in Minecraft will have a special digital signature attached. That's essentially what chat message signing is. Your Micro$oft Mining Simulator Account acts like a key, "signing" your messages with a unique code. This allows Mojang to verify the sender and even the context of the message (up to a point).
The "Big Brother" Argument
Here's where things get dicey. With signed messages, anyone can report your in-game chat to Mojang. This might sound good for servers intended for 8 year olds but struggling with toxicity, but for players who enjoy a little friendly anarchy (especially on Realms servers!), it feels like an invasion of privacy. A simple yo mama joke or saying Mad $h!t in Realms could land you in hot water, potentially leading to account suspension.
Realms Woes: Automatic Suspension, Manual Cancellation?
Things get even more frustrating with Realms subscriptions. If your account gets suspended due to a reported message, your Realms subscription won't automatically cancel. You'll have to manually shut it down, potentially losing out on remaining playtime. Not exactly a pickaxe-wielding hero move, Mojang.
The Server Owner's Struggle: Kicked by My Own Code?
Our own server owner, MoNoRi-Chan, experienced the frustration firsthand. Due to a glitch with chat message signing, they were kicked from their own server for sending a signed message! This highlights the potential for bugs and unintended consequences with this new feature.
So, is Chat Message Signing All Bad?
Not necessarily. For servers with stricter moderation needs, it can be a helpful tool. However, for players who value a free and open chat experience, it feels like a step in the wrong direction.
Who Cares About Yo Mama Jokes Anyway? Mods to the Rescue!
Just like resourceful Minecrafters always find a way, there are mods available (like NoChatReports [Server] [Client]) that disable chat message signing. For servers like ours, which prioritize an uncensored chat experience, these mods become essential tools to preserve the freedom of speech and the anarchy we love.
The Final Pickaxe Swing
Chat message signing is an Ostrich algorithm issue. It was Micro$oft's intention to improve moderation for them, but it raises concerns about privacy and freedom of expression for others. Ultimately, the decision of whether to embrace or bypass this feature rests with the players and server owners. But one thing's for sure: the debate over chat in Minecraft just got a whole lot more interesting. So, keep swinging those pickaxes, miners, and remember – speak your mind (or don't!), but be aware of the potential consequences in this new era of signed messages.
Why it's bad?
Micro$oft's Moderation System: A Futile Attempt at Online Safety
Micro$oft's recent efforts to implement stricter moderation policies in Minecraft have sparked widespread criticism and concern among the player community. While the company claims to be prioritizing online safety, the proposed measures are widely seen as ineffective and potentially harmful.
One of the primary criticisms is that the new moderation system is overly broad and could lead to the banning of innocent players. Many players have expressed concerns that the system may be unable to distinguish between harmless banter and genuine harassment, resulting in false positives and unnecessary punishments.
Furthermore, the system's reliance on automated moderation tools could be easily circumvented by malicious actors. Bots and scripts can be used to generate offensive language in bulk, overwhelming the system and making it difficult to identify and punish genuine offenders.
Another significant issue is the potential for Micro$oft to profit from the moderation system. For example, banning an Xbox account that has purchased a significant amount of in-game content could be seen as a way to coerce players into spending more money to buy the game starting over from scratch.
Ultimately, the most effective way to protect online activity in Minecraft is to empower server administrators to enforce their own moderation policies. Server admins have a deep understanding of their community and can tailor their rules and enforcement practices to meet the specific needs of their players.
By decentralizing moderation, Micro$oft can avoid the pitfalls of centralized systems, such as overreach, censorship, and potential conflicts of interest. Additionally, this approach allows for greater flexibility and customization, enabling servers to cater to a diverse range of player preferences. Rather than blanket solution which is more like a Big Brother to watch over your block game.
In conclusion, Micro$oft's attempt to implement a universal moderation system for Minecraft is a misguided endeavor. By empowering server admins and fostering a culture of self-regulation, the company can create a safer and more enjoyable online environment for all players.
Incident Report
Incident Report: PaperMC 1.21 Chat Signing and Server Kick
Date: 7/1/2024 Time: 11:54PM
Reported By: MoNoRi-Chan (Server Owner)
Summary:
This report details an issue encountered with Minecraft version 1.21 and its forcefully-enabled "Cryptographic Message Signing" for chat messages. This feature, intended for moderation purposes, has resulted in players and even the server owner being kicked due to "chat message validation failure"
Background:
- Minecraft 1.19.84 introduces mandatory chat message signing by default for Java Edition clients.
- This feature attach a digital signature traceable to your Micro$oft Account, allowing anyone to report messages to Mojang moderation.
- Our server, led by The Royal Decree, does not support this moderation approach and encourages free speech (excluding defamation or impersonation).
Incident Details:
- Players sending signed messages to the server are being kicked due to "chat message validation failure".
- This issue affects even someone who couldn't possibly be as Server-Authoritative as a fucking server owner, MoNoRi-Chan, still got kicked for sending chat messages.
Impact:
- Players are being unfairly kicked from the server, hindering gameplay and communication.
- The server owner's ability to manage the server is hampered.
- This feature undermines the server's core value of free speech.
Recommendation:
- To ensure continued freedom of speech and prevent player kicks, we highly recommend installing the NoChatReports Fabric mod on the clientside.
- This mod disables chat message signing, allowing players to chat freely without being reported to Mojang.
Additional Notes:
- The irony of the server owner being kicked from their own server due to this feature is not lost on us.
- We believe client-side modifications like NoChatReports are necessary to maintain the server's core principles in the face of unwanted moderation practices.
Next Steps:
Continue monitoring the situation for any further complications. Case Closed.- Encourage players to install NoChatReports for a seamless chat experience.
- Mojang Employees, if anyone ever has their time to read this wiki; I know your concerns but please. Consider allowing server-side solutions to disable chat message signing if available in future updates.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Chat Message Validation Failure
Solution: NoChatReports for Client, FreedomChat for paper servers.
